[Transit] Drug Testing Changes for Transit Operators

[Wes Mills]

I’ve been swamped at work and keep meaning to work on this and, well…if it weren’t for the last minute, I’d never get anything done. :) Here’s my attempt at a statement (with no links, just vibes) and I’m *sure* it needs editing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TyFHyBlRZviZLzo065rlje_yIh8afSjOKOkivfvnT2M/edit

Also, should / can we talk about the Metro service resolution at the meeting tonight and maybe get TRU acclamation for its passage?  (I should have asked when the agenda was being formed…)

Wes

On Mon, May 15, 2023, at 19:36, Katie Wilson wrote:
> 
> Very interesting! This could be a good thing to mention in a statement. Speaking of… bumping up that question, since our membership meeting is coming up Thursday. Should we try to come up with something by then? Short of drafting something, if people on this list wanted to throw out some ideas about what position(s) we should express, I can try to help put something together over the next few days.
> 
>> On May 15, 2023, at 12:16 PM, Saunatina Sanchez <saunatina at transitriders.org> wrote:
>> 
>> An announcement came through today from the TRUST network and this seems like a good opportunity to reach out to the ATU. Would anyone in this group be interested in being a contact with the Transit Operators Union and maintaining our collaborative relationship more actively?
>> 
>> *"Some exciting news !!! * the USDOT released it's long awaited revised rule: Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs: Addition of Oral Fluid Specimen Testing for Drugs <https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2021-0093-0420> Our Bus Crisis Working Group talked to FTA and USDOT about this rule roughly18 months ago when it was a draft rule. The new rule allows agencies to do either or both urine and oral fluid (saliva) testing for cannabis and other drugs. *It will be effective June 1st ! This is a great opportunity to align with union locals and get local agencies to adopt an oral fluid test as soon as possible. *While the USDOT is careful to remind us that these tests are not to test impairment there is little doubt that adoption of this type of testing will reduce drivers being penalized for marijuana consumption in states where recreational and/or medicinal use is legal. Link to rule is above and pdf is attached."
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> S.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Transit mailing list
>> Transit at transitriders.org
>> http://lists.transitriders.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/transit
> _______________________________________________
> Transit mailing list
> Transit at transitriders.org
> http://lists.transitriders.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/transit
> 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.transitriders.org/pipermail/transit/attachments/20230518/0d8b88ef/attachment.html>